The South Wales Inn – Cwmtillery

The South Wales Inn – Cwmtillery.
The South Wales Inn was located on the main road from Abertillery to Cwmtillery on the western bank of the valley. It was in the row of terraced houses owned by the South Wales Colliery Company.

Its frontage with a small porch was facing east (as seen circled in the image left) overlooking the Cwmtillery Colliery. The earliest mention of the South Wales Inn was in 1869 when it was used to hold an inquiry into the circumstances a child’s death at Cwmtillery. Reports in local papers regarding the Inn at the time are few and far between. 

Mr William Webb.
On the 6th of September 1872, the Bedwellty Licensing Files shows the South Wales Inn, Cwmtillery as being owned by Mr William Webb, brewer of Aberbeeg. Its address was the South Wales Inn, the South Wales Works.

Mr Jonathan Ralph.
On the 3rd of September 1875, the Bedwellty Licensing Files shows Mr Jonathan Ralph as being the licensee of the South Wales Inn, Cwmtillery. Mr William Webb, brewer of Aberbeeg, was the owner.

The 1881 census shows Mr Jonathan Ralph, born in 1849 at Frampton Gloucestershire and his wife Mrs Ann Ralph nee Bence born in 1852, were licensees of the South Wales Inn, Cwmtillery. Mrs Ann Ralph, born at Corston, Somerset, was the daughter of George and Mary Bence, licensees of the Bell Inn, Somerset Street, Abertillery. They lived at the South Wales Inn with their family – Master John George Ralph, born 1874 at Abertillery. Miss Mary Ralph, born 1876 at Abertillery. Miss Alice Ralph, born 1878 at Abertillery and Master Henry Ralph, born in 1880, also at Abertillery. Also living at the Inn were Miss Alice Greenaway, a servant, born in Blaenavon and Miss Mary Dowell, born in Abertillery.

The 1891 census listed the Ralph family as still being tenants at the South Wales Inn although Miss Esther A. Ralph, a daughter appeared on the census, born in 1877 along with Master William Ralph, born 1880 and Miss Rose Ralph, born in 1884. On this census sheet it states that Mr Jonathan Ralph and his wife, apart from being at the South Wales Inn, were farmers at Tyr Pwdwr Farm, Cwmtillery.

Webb Brothers.
In September 1887, the Bedwellty Licensing Files shows Mr Jonathan Ralph as still being the licensee although the owners were now the Webb Brothers, brewers of Aberbeeg.

Messrs J. R. & T. A. Webb.
On the 4th of September 1896, the Bedwellty Licensing Files shows Mr Jonathan Ralph as still being the licensee although the owners were now listed as Messrs J. R. & T. A. Webb brewers of Aberbeeg.

The Death of Mr Jonathan Ralph.
In 1896 Mr Jonathan Ralph passed away. It had been reported that there was a transfer of the licence of the South Wales Inn, Cwmtillery from Mr Jonathan Ralph (deceased) to Miss Esther Ralph (daughter). After the death of Jonathan Ralph, the family left the South Wales Inn to live at the Tyr Pwdwr Farm, Cwmtillery.

Mr Rees Rees.
In 1898, held the licence for a short time.

Mr Levi Davies.
In 1899, Mr Levi Davies was the licensee at the South Wales Inn, Cwmtillery. The owners were still Messrs J. R. & T. A. Webb brewers of Aberbeeg. Mr Davies was only at the Inn for a short while before finishing from ill health in 1908.

The 1901 census shows that Mr Levi Davies, born 1862 at Jordanston, Pembrokeshire and his wife Mrs Elizabeth Davies, born in 1863 at Mountain Ash, Glamorganshire, were licensees at the South Wales Inn, Cwmtillery. They were at the Inn with their family – Master Evan L. Davies, born 1891. Miss Ceredwin Davies born 1892 and Miss Mary E. Davies, born in 1896. Also living at the premises were Miss Sybil Williams and Miss Elizabeth Lewis, both servants from Brecon.

The Reconstruction of the South Wales Inn.
In the early 1900’s the South Wales Inn was considered unfit for habitation and was later reconstructed (I have not got an exact date of reconstruction at this moment) although plans show that it was to be rebuilt on a different orientation, the frontage would now be on the main road side of the Inn (as seen in the main featured image above) facing west, as opposed to the older building with its frontage overlooking the colliery. 

Mr Michael Roach.
In 1909, Mr Michael Roach took the licence of the South Wales Inn, Cwmtillery. The owners were still Messrs J. R. & T. A. Webb brewers of Aberbeeg.

The 1911 census shows Mr Michael Roach, born in 1864 at Garndiffaith, Monmouthshire and his wife Mrs Mary Jane Roach nee Wallace, born in 1871 at Cwmtillery, were licensees at the South Wales Inn, Cwmtillery. Mrs Mary Jane Roach was the daughter of John and Sarah Wallace of the White Horse Inn, Cwmtillery. They lived at the Inn with their family – Miss Mary Ann Roach, born 1892. Miss Alice Roach, born 1893. Miss Jenna Roach, born 1897. Miss Alice Roach, born 1899. Master Thomas Roach, born 1903. Miss Elsa May Roach, born 1906 and Miss Eileen Roach, born in 1908. (More on Mr Michael Roach below)

The Sale of the South Wales Inn, Cwmtillery.
In 1918, the South Wales Inn, Cwmtillery was put up for sale.

Mr William Williams.
In 1920 Mr William Williams, born in 1883 at Newbridge, Monmouthshire and Mrs Elizabeth L. Williams, born in 1884 at Abertillery were licensees at the South Wales Inn, Cwmtillery. Also living at the premises was Mr Cliff Fieldhouse, listed as a barman, Miss Lily Wilshire and Miss Dolly Wilshire, both servants, as listed on the 1921 census.

Webb’s Western Valley Quoits League.
In 1921, the South Wales Inn was in the Webb’s Western Valley Quoits League. The teams in the league were as follows – The Lamb, The Prince of Wales Hotel, The Commercial, The Cwm Hotel, The Royal Exchange, The Globe (Ebbw Vale), The Mitre, The Colliers Arms, The Crown, The Railway, The Old Bridgend Inn, Aberbeeg C.C., The D.S.D.S. and the South Wales Inn.

Mr Elias Williams.
In 1922 Mr Elias Williams was licensee at the South Wales Inn, Cwmtillery.

Mr Elias Williams.
In 1923 Mr Elias Williams and Mrs Beatrice Williams were licensees at the South Wales Inn, Cwmtillery.

Mr Lewellyn Edmunds.
In 1927 Mr Llewellyn Edmunds and his wife Mrs Gladys Edmunds were licensees at the South Wales Inn, Cwmtillery.

Mr Rowland Nash.
In 1930 Mr Rowland Nash and Mrs Martha May Nash were licensees at the South Wales Inn, Cwmtillery.

The Abertillery and District Dart League.
In August 1937 the South Wales Inn featured in the “Northern Section” of the Abertillery and District Dart League. The teams in the league were as follows – The Fountain, The South Wales Inn, The Royal Oak, The Glasgow House, The High Street Club, The Bell, Six Bells Colts, The Goodfellows, Penybont Workmen’s Club and the Crown Inn.

Local A.R.P. Wardens Office.
During WWII the A.R.P. Wardens Office of G.2. Post was under the South Wales Inn, Cwmtillery. The Gwent Gazette dated 1972 ran a story of a photograph that had been printed in the previous paper of the wardens at their post and listed them as follows – Tom Jones (Chief Warden); Fred Haywood; Dai Holmes; Jack Phillips; Cyril Jones; Lionel Greenough; Mike Sheen; Tom Rees; Sid Budden; Harry Williams; Albert Clothier; George Solloway and Verdun Jones: There were also two messenger boys – David Jones and Lionel Greenough:

Mr Stanley Mitchell.
In 1948 Mr Stanley Mitchell was licensee at the South Wales Inn, Cwmtillery.

Mr Fred Jordan.
In 1949 Mr Fred Jordan and his wife Mrs Ceinwen Jordan were licensees at the South Wales Inn, Cwmtillery.

Mr Ivor Williams.
In 1955 Mr Ivor Williams and his wife Mrs Dolly M. Williams were licensees at the South Wales Inn, Cwmtillery.

Mr James Tilling.
In 1956 Mr James Tilling and his wife Mrs Rose Tilling were licensees at the South Wales Inn, Cwmtillery. Also living at the premises were Mr Phillip Rees and Mrs Doris Rees.

Mr Montague Rees.
In 1958 Mr Montague Rees and his wife Mrs Edith D. Rees were licensees at the South Wales Inn, Cwmtillery.

Mr Thomas George Thomas.
In 1960 Mr Thomas George Thomas and his wife Mrs Dilys Thomas were licensees at the South Wales Inn, Cwmtillery.

Webb’s Quiz League.
In 1962, the South Wales Inn was in the Webb’s Quiz League. The teams in the league were as follows – The Victoria Hotel (Ebbw Vale), The Park Hotel (Ebbw Vale), The Commercial, The Royal Exchange, The Clynmawr Hotel, The Bush Hotel, The South Wales Inn, The Royal Oak Hotel, The Prince of Wales Hotel, The Lamb Inn, Llanhilleth Hotel, Pentwyn Inn (Trinant), The Railway Inn and the Mitre.

The Nantyglo, Blaina and Abertillery L.V.A. Dart League.
In 1964, the South Wales Inn was in the Friday night “A” Section of the Nantyglo, Blaina and Abertillery L.V.A. Dart League. Other teams in the section were as follows – The Mitre, The New Bridgend, The Red Lion Blaina, The Crown Inn, The Royal Exchange Blaenau Gwent, The South Wales Inn, The Clynmawr Hotel, The Railway, The Commercial, The Prince, The Mount, The Lamb, The Coach and Horses and the Station Hotel.

The Abertillery and District Skittles League.
In the same year, 1964, the South Wales Inn also featured in the Abertillery and District Skittles League. The teams in the league were as follows – The Clynmawr Hotel “A”. The Railway “B”. The Castle “A”. The Clynmawr Hotel “B”. The Castle “B”. The South Wales Inn. The Railway “A”. The Mount Pleasant “A”. The Mount Pleasant “B”. The Bridgend. The Royal Oak “A” and the Royal Oak “B”.

Mr John Elwyn Thomas.
In 1969 Mr John Elwyn Thomas was listed as being at the South Wales Inn, Cwmtillery. Mr Thomas was the son of the previous tenants Thomas and Dilys Thomas.

The Closure of the South Wales Inn.
The landlord of the South Wales Inn, appeared in the London Gazette receivership in 1971. The following is a transcript of the notice – Mr Thomas George Thomas, of 80, Arrael View, Roseheyworth Estate, Abertillery in the county of Monmouth, Colliery Labourer, and formerly carrying on business at the South Wales Inn, Cwmtillery, Abertillery as a Licensed Victualler (described in the Receiving Order as T. G. Thomas (male). Court—Blackwood, Tredegar and Abertillery. No. of Matter—4 of 1971. Date of Order— 11th of Aug, 1971. Date of Filing Petition—24th June, 1971.

The South Wales Inn Film Location.
In the early 1970’s, Jane Arden and Jack Bond filmed “The Other Side Of The Underneath”, a film made on location at Cwmtillery and the surrounding area. The crew used the then derelict South Wales Inn as their headquarters. Filming began in June 1971 and the film was released in October 1972.

Point of Interest –
Mr Michael Roach.
Mr Michael Roach was born in 1870 at Garndiffaith, Monmouthshire. At the age of seven he moved with his parents to Cwmtillery and attended the National School, Abertillery. He left school at the age of twelve and began work at Cwmtillery Colliery, at a young age he was highly respected and in 1885 was placed onto the works committee and in 1898 was elected as checkweigher (one who weighs the miners personal daily coal production as a way of determining that workman’s daily wage) a job with great responsibility and trust amongst the workmen.

Mr Roach was later part of the Western Valley’s District Miners Council and after passing through vice-chair and chair, Mr Roach was in 1902 selected to act as assistant agent to Mr William Brace. In this same year the Western Valley’s District South Wales Miners Federation listed Mr Michael Roach as (Vice-President); Mr W. Waters (Treasurer); Mr William Brace (Agent) and Mr W. Harris (Secretary and Executive Representative):

In 1903 Mr Roach was checkweigher at Cwmtillery No1 Colliery, Mr Paul Love was checkweigher at Cwmtillery No2 Colliery. In the same year Mr Roach was president of the Western Valley’s Miners Council. In 1906 Mr Roach was unanimously elected agent of the Western Valley’s District South Wales Miners Federation as Mr Brace was busy with Parliamentary duties, Mr Roach received 5,215 votes out of a total 8,075 cast from fifteen collieries in the district.

The Resignation of Mr Roach.
On Friday 7th of August 1908, the South Wales Gazette reported that Mr Michael Roach, miners agent had resigned to take the license of the South Wales Inn, Cwmtillery from Mr Levi Davies.

Source – Information taken out of various newspapers from the dates listed. Landlords and landladies taken from censuses and electoral registers.

Thanks to Bryan Boots for the details of the reconstruction of the Inn.